• Home
  • Agriculture
  • Foodways

Foodways

Production, Processing, Consumption norms in the Slinger Area.  Includes Restaurants, Businesses, and customs

Overview:  Slinger HS students studied food production, processing, distribution, and consumption norms in the 2014-2015 school year.   They started with individual then group.  Here are some notes they looked at on national and regional trends followed by local research.

*Notes on Bittman article regarding cooking trends (2014)

*Results to select food way questions on the eating and cooking patterns in the Slinger Area in the optional district sociology survey.
         -Generation comparison
         -Families eating together 
         -Where families eat
         -Behavior norm
         -Out to eat trends 
__________________________________________

Gardening

Sociology students asked school district residents in October 2014 if they owned/planted a garden and, if not, why they didn't plant a garden.  Click  here and here to see results.

A sociology student broadened that research to collect data on a worm/compost project going on at the high school in 2014-2015.  Click here. 
__________________________________________

Farmer's Markets and Vegetable stands

Students documented examples of farmer's markets and vegetables in the Slinger School District.  They also documented where district residents got their vegetables and what Slinger residents sold items at the West Bend Farmer's Market and other markets.   

*Farmer's market research notes

"People want to know where their food comes from today."  Ceil Nehm  (2015)  (Photo on right of Nehm's sign courtesy of Ceil Nehm)

*West Bend Farmer's Market vendors with Slinger tie that students found, 2014 site visit:

-Craine's Popcorn
-K-Delights, Inc,  history here
-Mueller's Mullberry Meadows

Other notable district vegetable stands:

-Phil Kreb's (Hwy 175)
Oblak's Hearthside Farms (2 Oblak photos courtesy of Sue Oblak),  student article on Nehm's/Oblaks/K-Delights

__________________________________________

Canning

Here is a graph and here is some research on overall district canning customs in 2014.  Here were some examples of things that were canned. Here is student research on family canning customs. 
       -Blake Masbruch research 
       -Emily Schemenauer research 
       -Ryan Punko research 
       -Tyler Peszko research 
_________________________________________

Maple Syrup

Here is a student study on Maple Syrup trends in Slinger area in 2014-2015 (Krueger's).   Here is a paper about the maple syrup at Richfield Thresheree Days.   Here is an article about Fred Spaeth and one about Jim Hassinger.   The first photo on the right is at Richfield Historical Park (Nancy Schilling-Genz photo).  The other two are at Spaeth Maple Syrup.  (Jason Landt photo)

__________________________________________

Honey

Here is a study about honey making at Mueller's Mulberry Meadows farm on Hillside Road.   Here is an additional focus on a smaller operation at the Spaeth's.  (Photo at right taken by Jason Landt)

__________________________________________

Butchering

Butchering tools and display thumbnails on the right: Richfield Thresheree Days.  (Photos by Nate Grimm)

Here are two pieces of student research on butchering using the 2014 Washington County Historical Society exhibit, Roots: Food Production Comes Full Circle, as the source.    (Permission for use by Washington County HST society)

Butchering exhibit summary by Cailee Meyers
Foodway changes summary by Madeline Hoitink
__________________________________________

Meatmarkets

Here are some meat purchase patterns and meat market favorites in the Slinger School District from a 2014 district family survey.

Here is a general study of the meatmarket culture including a special look at Gehrings and Helds (Senior, Kate Bilicki, fall 2014)

Here is a video by Jacob Storr's focusing on Gundrum's, Risse's, and Kachelmeier's. 

Bunzels
     -Soph student Jacob Bunzel writes about               family business on Burleigh (2014)

Blando
     -Soph. Julia Blando writes about family 
       business (2014)

Fox Bros' Meats
      -notes from fall site visit (2014)

Held's
        -Kate Bilicki study
        -Soph. Cal Waters writes about Helds
       -Colin Hoch writes about Helds

Gehrings
        -see Bilicki study
        -WB Tap and Tavern (farm to table)

Gundrums
        -see family document (courtesy of Emily
                      Lofy)
       -audio from Shirley Gundrum

Gebhardts
        -photo in thumbnails on right, receipt from 
         Gebhardts submitted by Marlene Reinders

Karl's Market
        -a student link (the Paul Koslowski family lives in Slinger),  their website

Risses
        -an audio link of Scott, Keith, and Troy 
         Risse talking about the Risse Meat Market
         with Kayleigh Gorman and Lindsey Retzer
        -select transcripts from students

Schwai's 
        -an article by Jenna Schoenke 
        -their website

__________________________________________

School Food Service

Here is a study about Slinger school food service conducted by Tanya Qualmann in 2014. (Color Photo at right is of retired food service workers, Geraldine Konrath and Madge Kreuser, visiting with current food service director, Cindy Fassbender)

       *memories via fall School District survey
       *additional interview data from retired food
         service workers (coming soon)
      *photos of old cafeteria/new (coming soon)

__________________________________________

Food Industry 

*Lance Industries (Hwy 33)
       -interview with Ralph Gundrum
        (Meat Tumbler)

*Sysco and Growing Power (Town of Polk)

Data collected by sociology students on a fall 2014 site visit concerning Sysco and Growing Power
      -summary of student interview with Larry              Gruber, Sysco's employee
      -audio excerpt of Growing Power interview
            (coming soon)
*Norb Yogerst, Food Processing Innovation

__________________________________________

Restaurants/Businesses (Past and Present)
Fall 2014 Sociology survey of Slinger School District families and 2014-2015 sociology class site visit reveals:

*Slinger area restaurant/meatmarket memories
*Favorite Slinger Area Breakfast places
Slinger area lunch places
*Favorite Slinger Area Fish Fry places
*Favorite Bakeries,  Piggly Wiggly Bakery
*Local restaurants by Mike Vlasak

Research on the following has been conducted so far:

Aiden O'Reilly's
     *an article by a student
Alma's Cafe
     *an article by a student
Bieri's
     *an article by a student
The Fireside Inn
     *quotes by former waitress
Jim's Place
     *an article
     *audio from Jim and Brenda Herther
Kachelmeier's Bakery
     *audio from Frank Kachelmeier, Jr
     *audio from Frank Kachelmeier, Jr
     *audio  from customer
     *picture of oven peeler 
Karina's Kafe
      *student paper 
The Linden Inn
      *quotes by former waitress
The Little Red Inn
      *excerpt from Tim German interview
MJ Stevens 
      *an article by student
Shady Side Restaurant
     *an article by student
     * photos
Sheryl's Club/The Blue Room
     *an article by student
Schneiders Restaurant
     *an article by Clare Meyers
Slinger Dairy Bar
     *an article
Sweet Creations
       *an article  (2015)
       *an article  (2014)
The Slinger House/Kirk's Korners/Roth House
       *a menu from Kirk's Korners (1987)
       *excerpts from Billie Vaughn, Kirk's Korner 
          co-owner
       *student summary,  student research (2015)
Tom's Bar and Grill
      *student paper
Van's Custard
      *audio from Kathy Racine, Van Riesch's                     daughter

(More research coming.....)
__________________________________________

Food Customs

Family Recipes
     *a sample of recipes tracked back to previous generations of family members (2014) by Slinger HS History students
    *family food traditions (district survey)
    *ethnic dishes (district survey)
    *Student doc showing German Food at Culture Night (Anna Pedrick)
    *German food (district survey)

(small pics on right of German Food at Culture Night via Nancy Schilling-Genz, Jordan Zielinski, and Anna Drayers)

__________________________________________

Food Events

(Research in progress)

*Taste of Autumn, Rotary Pancake Breakfast, and Chili-Cook-off (article by student)
*Buffalo Feed 
      -notes
*Allenton Picnic
*Band Chicken Dinner
*Band Night Fish Fry
*St. Peter's Fish Fry, St. John's "Dinner a Month" student  article
*MJ Stevens Jazz BBQ

__________________________________________

Grocery Stores

Some data from the School District Sociology survey in fall of 2014 regarding bakery trends and grocery store trends.  

-Piggly Wiggly (Hansen's and Fox Brothers)
                                             *student article
-Theisens
-Wolf's
      *an excerpt from Robert Wolf
-Brost Foods
          *student article
-House of Heilemann's
        *Reinders notes 
-The Red Owl
              *student article
-George O. Shubert General Store
   Peter's Country Store (Diefenbach Corners)

_________________________________________

Food Stands

*People Behind the Owls
*Allenton Youth Organization
*Washington County Fair (4H)
__________________________________________

                      Misc. Quotes from research

"Dad said it all went to heck when grocery stores starting selling oil, and gas stations started selling groceries."  Scott and Keith Risse


"The first building was built then dad kept adding on.  After adding on, his first building was converted into a grocery section.  We had a variety of basic groceries. It seemed like it was one of the first convenience food places in town.  Back then, gas stations just sold gas." Kathy Racine discussing her father's construction of Van's Frozen Custard (2015)

"Something unique to Slinger?  Jim's Place ice cream cones.  Huge cone.  Good price."   Dr. Crego 

"Nothing like Gundrum sausage on fresh Kachelmeier bread."  Shirley Gundrum

"The Hillshire salseman would time it so they would come through town when Dad's ring bologna was ready.  Dick Melius would make sure on Wednesday to get the hot ring bologna and put it on some fresh Kachelmeier rye bread"    Scott Risse

"We are the only Hero's Subs in the world."  Owner of Hero's

"The 'Bomber.'  The name came from the mind of a Slinger Advancement Association member.   Pulled pork sandwich at the softball tourne/car show."   Dr. Crego 

"People like the walking taco."   4H Stand worker at County Fair

"FDR was our most famous customer."  Shirley Gundrum (Gundrum's Meatmarket)

"People don't buy as many roasts any more."  Bob Gehring (2014) Gehring's Meat Market

"People used to grab a dozen ears of corn or more.  It used to be a meal for the whole family. Now, more and more people are coming in to buy just a few ears of sweet corn." Russ Nehm (2015)

"A lot of people head to the deli to grab something quickly."  Mike Frederick (Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly, 2014)

"We gather around food in good times and hard times.  The SAMBA chicken dinner is a great way for families to come together to support and raise our children."  Anonymous patron at SAMBA chicken dinner

"Favorite part of owning a restaurant? We enjoy just being among friends and meeting new friends day to day."  Tom Puls, Tom's Bar and Grill, 2015 questionnaire

"We felt that students are going out to eat more now than ten years ago so we added two new choices to our lunch options (Grab and Go and Viola) to make school lunch seem less institutional. Students like options." Cindy Fassbender, School District Food Service Director (2014)
Click HERE to go back to Slinger Area History/Culture Main page
Picture
Taste of Autumn 2014 at Little Switzerland
Picture
Phil Kreb's garden south of St. Lawrence.
Picture
Phil Krebs at his vegetable stand on Hwy 175 near Kettle Moraine Road and Arthur Road in fall of 2014.
Picture
Slinger student visiting with a vendor at Allenton Farmer's Market
Picture
Spaeth Honey (photo by Jason Landt and Jacob Bunzel)
Picture
Fox Bros. Old Fashioned Summer Sausage (Piggly Wiggly 2015)
Picture
Gundrum's Meatmarket after it closed (submitted by Emily Lofy)
Picture
Photo by Nancy Schilling-Genz
Picture
Photo above by Nate Grimm
Picture
Picture
Schneider's Restaurant (submitted by Mary Zuern)
Picture
Van's Custard, exact date unknown, picture courtesy of Kathy Racine
Picture
Picture
Picture
Sociology students research Slinger Food Pantry (Photo by Nate Grimm, 2015)
Picture
                                                                                                                                               Photos above: Nate Grimm ((Jim's Place, Bieri's), Jessica Strupp (Rookery)
                                                                                                                                                                              Mariah Mihm (Wash. County 4H Food Stand), MIke Vlasak
                                                                                                                                                                             (2015 restaurant slide show)
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.